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Moron Wine Buyers, Part One: Ruining the Fun For Everyone Else
examiner.com ^ | May 25, 2009 | Benjamin Mennell

Posted on 05/25/2009 9:13:16 PM PDT by smokingfrog

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To: Hugin

“I don’t think the wine is worth it,” said Bear Dalton, wine expert at Spec’s liquor store in Houston. Dalton explained that consumers can only get “Two Buck Chuck” for $1.99 in California - other states carry the wine, but not for nearly as cheap.

“The wine would have to sell closer to $3 after commerce because of the additional federal costs and mark-ups. There are wines that are $2.99 that are better. There’s no point in bringing it in. It’s an acceptable commercial wine, not exciting,” Dalton said.

Not everyone agrees on the quality of wine for the buck. Posert said Charles Shaw has produced a wine with exactly the right combination of taste and price.

“I would say in the hundred reviews of Charles Shaw wine, there have been three people who said it wasn’t worth the price,” Posert said.

Regardless of the taste debate, no one can deny that Charles Shaw has turned an unrealized asset into cash. The California grape crop, which recently experienced a glut, has seen a decline in quality resulting in fewer wine makers wanting to purchase the grapes. This lack of interest caused the prices of grapes to fall, one reason why the Bronco was able to manufacture the wine cheap enough to sell it on the wholesale market for so little.

“Bronco Winery, Co. is buying the grapes at low prices and turning around and selling wine at a low price,” Dalton said. “It’s only possible because the wine is moved directly to retailers. There is no middleman.”

Local wineries and vineyard owners are baffled by the craze over Charles Shaw.


21 posted on 05/25/2009 10:13:32 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( Don't mess with the mockingbird! /\/\ http://tiny.cc/freepthis)
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To: smokingfrog

The truth is, California is so ideal for growing grapes (especially reds) that even the cheapest are consistantly good. You either have to mishandle the grapes (like let them rot) or screw up the winemaking process badly to make a bad wine from them. So Charles Shaw can buy surplus grapes, blend them up and make a very decent, drinkable wine that people can afford. In fact, it has won the gold medal in at least one contest.


22 posted on 05/25/2009 10:23:52 PM PDT by Hugin (GSA! (Goodbye sweet America))
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To: JoeProBono
When the girl on his right starts to look good, he knows he's had enough.

23 posted on 05/25/2009 10:25:46 PM PDT by Kirkwood
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To: smokingfrog
other states carry the wine, but not for nearly as cheap.

There's almost a 50% markup here in North Carolina. Trader Joe's is selling it for $2.89 a bottle. I feel so cheated! ;o)

24 posted on 05/25/2009 11:06:24 PM PDT by DeFault User
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To: JoeProBono

Never got past sterno an a clean rag .....


25 posted on 05/25/2009 11:06:33 PM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But have a plan to kill everyone you meet)
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To: DeFault User
There's almost a 50% markup here in North Carolina. Trader Joe's is selling it for $2.89 a bottle. I feel so cheated! ;o)

$2.99 here in Arizona...yikes we are being scalped.

;)

26 posted on 05/25/2009 11:13:01 PM PDT by Irish Eyes
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To: smokingfrog
A few decades ago, living in the then up-and-coming Ca. Central Coast wine country, I was involved for several years in a nationally renowned annual wine auction. I got to interact and sometimes party with both the wine makers and the wine snobs. What struck me most: the better the wine maker, the less snooty and snobby he was. The award-winning wine makers were farmers, down-to-earth absolutely humble folks. The buyers, on the other hand ... were a hoot because they often personified the stereotype of the pretentious wine snob.

It was the same thing I'd observed in classical music and the difference between the professional musicians and the folks that made up the audience. The classical musicians were mostly (some exceptions) irreverent partiers behind the scenes. The typical classical symphony underwriter/supporter/audience member would have been shocked if they'd known how "uncouth" and wild their musicians were!

27 posted on 05/25/2009 11:17:16 PM PDT by Finny ("Raise hell. Vote smart." -- Ted Nugent.)
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To: smokingfrog

After careful research in areas of large wine consumption I’ve notice one wine seems to be the choice of many. It sells very well and does not require a large sum of money. This wine seems to have a unique quality not found in other wines even ones in it’s class. A glass or two can take you from mellow to rowdy thus from that comes it’s more common name. I nominate Mad Dog 20/20 as the wine of they year :>} Do I hear a second on this?


28 posted on 05/25/2009 11:23:31 PM PDT by cva66snipe (Two Choices left for U.S. One Nation Under GOD or One Nation Under Judgement? Which one say ye?)
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To: Kozak
My sons college buddies would strap a box of Franzia on their backs and ride their bikes and thus the “Tour De Franzia” was born....

LOL. I love it.

29 posted on 05/25/2009 11:25:09 PM PDT by SIDENET (Hubba Hubba...)
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To: Finny

Those musicians - they’re all the same.


30 posted on 05/25/2009 11:36:37 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( Don't mess with the mockingbird! /\/\ http://tiny.cc/freepthis)
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To: max americana

We had a tasting party at one of my friends houses, one day.
He is a multi-millionaire, and can afford any wine,
in the World, by the case.
This little party was not planned in advance.
I brought one of my inexpensive, favorite bottles, a Blackstone Merlot,$12.00.Another friend brought a Duckhorn Merlot,$85.00.
My friend, Kelly, brought a bottle of 2 Buck Chuck, $2.99.
Also, thrown into the mix, was a bottle of Camus Cabernet Sauvignon, approx. $120.00.
Now, I’m not going to say that no one couldn’t pick out the Camus, as it is, like I say, “Liquid Sex”.
But, it was very hard to definitely pin down the others.
For the money, 2 Buck Chuck is better than the Duckhorn,
while the Blackstone was in 2nd place.


31 posted on 05/25/2009 11:37:49 PM PDT by gigster
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To: Hugin

Me too. I am amazed that anyone can sell a bottle of wine at that price. Think about it. $2 covers planting, growing, and harvesting the grape, fermenting the wine, bottling it, shipping it, and distributing it. And don’t forget the profit!


32 posted on 05/25/2009 11:44:40 PM PDT by RussP
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To: Beowulf9

And the vintage her served on fancy occasions: Champipple!


33 posted on 05/25/2009 11:45:16 PM PDT by clee1 (We use 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 2 to pull a trigger. I'm lazy and I'm tired of smiling.)
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To: smokingfrog

“What Santa Does On the Off Season”


34 posted on 05/26/2009 12:32:04 AM PDT by count-your-change (You don't have be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
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To: Hugin

and you will drink no wine before it is paid for.


35 posted on 05/26/2009 12:35:35 AM PDT by count-your-change (You don't have be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
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To: Finny

I found it truly hilarious the first time I listened to a couple of real classical music afficianados discussing orchestrae.

“They suck.”

“They’d be good if they could play thier instruments.”

It sounded like two kids arguing Van Halen vs. Led Zeppelin.


36 posted on 05/26/2009 1:05:27 AM PDT by sig226 (1/21/13 . . . He's not my president . . . Impeach Obama . . . whatever)
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To: smokingfrog
I have a modest collection, but would never consider myself a wine snob.


37 posted on 05/26/2009 3:26:30 AM PDT by Daffynition ("If any of you die, can I please have your ammo?" ~ Gator113)
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To: cva66snipe
I drank some MD20/20 when I was in the USN...

Of course, I also drank Four Roses Whiskey, Peroni beer and Ouzo (shiver)

No wonder my liver is in the shape it is.


38 posted on 05/26/2009 3:35:19 AM PDT by rlmorel ("The Road to Serfdom" by F.A.Hayek - Read it...today.)
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To: smokingfrog

Don’t tell me those aren’t dentures. And just imagine what he looks like without them. Poor Teresa.


39 posted on 05/26/2009 3:54:24 AM PDT by ottbmare (Ein Reich, ein Volk, ein Obama! (If you're old enough, you'll understand the reference))
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To: voteNRA

“Except the next step of actually removing the foil bag from the box to squeeze every last drop.

Something I have never done :)”

I believe you, I believe you! It’s been made out of clear plastic for quite awhile now. Still love it. Refreshing White is my choice.


40 posted on 05/26/2009 5:46:16 AM PDT by smalltownslick
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